Top News:
Bruce Levine / ESPN:
Chicago Cubs are close to a trade for Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Matt Garza — The Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs are close to agreeing to a multi-player deal that would bring right-handed pitcher Matt Garza to Chicago, according to a major league source. — The Cubs and at least three …
RELATED:
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Cubs To Acquire Matt Garza
Cubs To Acquire Matt Garza
Discussion:
The Process Report, GoatRiders of the Apocalypse and Fanhouse MLB Blog
Ben Nicholson-Smith / MLB Rumors:
Cubs, Rays Working On Garza Trade
Cubs, Rays Working On Garza Trade
Discussion:
Federal Baseball, GoatRiders of the Apocalypse, Bleed Cubbie Blue, NESN.com, River Avenue Blues and Bucs Dugout
Brian Costello / New York Post:
Yankees' Pettitte ‘just chilling out’ — DEER PARK, Texas — Tanned and rested, Andy Pettitte stood on his front porch last night and answered the question on every Yankees fan's mind: Do you know if you're going to pitch this year? — “I don't,” Pettitte told The Post fresh off his two-week vacation in Hawaii.
RELATED:
Wallace Matthews / ESPN:
Clemens reason for Pettitte's pause? — Yankees lefty still waffling about next season as The Rocket's perjury trial looms — Nearly four years after he cashed his last Yankees paycheck, $18 million for a half-season's work and a 6-6 record, it is possible that Roger Clemens is still exacting a heavy price from the team.
Bob Klapisch / NorthJersey.com:
Is Roger Clemens spooking Andy Pettitte and his return to the Yanks?
Is Roger Clemens spooking Andy Pettitte and his return to the Yanks?
Discussion:
HardballTalk, It's About The Money and Sliding Into Home
Chad Jennings / The LoHud Yankees Blog:
Cashman: “I will not lose our No. 1 draft pick” — Essentially taking himself out of the running for Rafael Soriano, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said this afternoon that he absolutely will not make a move that costs the Yankees their top draft pick. — “I will not lose our No. 1 draft pick,” Cashman said.
Discussion:
NESN.com, Over the Monster, lenNY's Yankees, River Avenue Blues, Full Count, Fanhouse MLB Blog and ESPN
RELATED:
Newsday:
Ken Davidoff's baseball insider — We've discussed a few times this winter Brian Cashman's reluctance to give up a first-round draft pick to sign Rafael Soriano as a setup man. Today, Cashman came right out and told Chad Jennings of the Journal News that he wouldn't sign Soriano, because of the draft pick.
Discussion:
New York Post, HardballTalk and MLB Rumors
Associated Press:
Ex-Yankees pitcher Ryne Duren dies — LAKE WALES, Fla. — Ryne Duren, an All-Star pitcher known for a 100 mph fastball, occasional wildness and Coke-bottle glasses that created a most intimidating presence on the mound, has died at his winter home in Florida. He was 81.
Discussion:
It's About The Money and baseballmusings.com
RELATED:
Jfay / Cincinnati Reds:
Baker: No quarterback controversy at short — Dusty Baker is glad to have Edgar Renteria on his roster. (The Reds still have not made the signing official.) — “It gives us a clutch man, a winner,” he said. — WHAT DO YOU THINK? — Vovici Online Survey Software
Discussion:
OMGreds and Redleg Nation
RELATED:
Enrique Rojas / MLB:
Reds, Edgar Renteria agree to deal
NY Daily News:
Joe Torre, former Yankees manager, may replace Mets' Sandy Alderson as Bud Selig's VP in MLB office — Joe Torre, the former manager who led the Yankees to four World Series titles and six American League pennants, is in talks with baseball commissioner Bud Selig about joining MLB …
Bill Shaikin / Los Angeles Times:
Frank McCourt meets with executives in MLB commissioner's office — The Dodgers owner outlined his legal and financial plans for retaining control of the team, amid divorce proceedings that began 15 months ago, according to one official. — Dodgers owner Frank McCourt met for three days …
Discussion:
Memories Of Kevin Malone
Bob Elliott / Toronto Sun:
Delgado getting in hip-shape — AGUADILLA, Puerto Rico — Carlos Delgado looks like the king of the world. — Just as he looked after hitting a second-deck homer at the Rogers Centre, crossing home plate and removing his helmet to show a shaved noggin while Blue Jays fans stood and cheered.
Discussion:
HardballTalk
Al Iannazzone / NorthJersey.com:
Nets try to involve Pistons in three-team trade for Carmelo Anthony — The Nets continue to pursue Carmelo Anthony from the Nuggets. — In the complicated scenario that's being discussed, the Nets would send Derrick Favors, Devin Harris and at least two first-round picks to Denver and Troy Murphy's expiring contract to the Pistons.
Discussion:
ProBasketballTalk and Chicago Breaking Sports
Thomas Boswell / Washington Post:
Washington Nationals bet better defense will pad their win total in 2011 — Pitchers and catchers report five weeks from Monday. Nationals, don't forget your gloves. — Baseball is about to see the equivalent of a laboratory study of the value of defense.
Corey Brock / MLB.com:
Inbox: Who will be Padres' backup catcher? — Beat reporter Corey Brock answers questions from fans — What can you tell us about the catching position in 2011? I know Nick Hundley is set to be the starter, but who will back him up? — The Padres have two players, Rob Johnson and Guillermo Quiroz …
Discussion:
MLB Rumors